E

The Eagle: ** ½

Release Date: 2011
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Kevin MacDonald
The biggest flaws here are the seriously undermined screenplay and poor casting job.  The battle scenes are authentic and look real.  Great scenery shots of the Scotland Highlands.  Based on the book "the Eagle of the Ninth" by Rosemary Sutcliff.


El Dorado: ** ½ 
Release Date: 1967
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Howard Hawks
The second remake of Rio Bravo, later followed by Rio Lobo.  A handsome Wayne western that leads up to a disappointing finale.  Shot through with some humor.  It might have been better had it not told such a straightforward tale in a prolonged amount of time.

Elf: ***
Release Date: 2003
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Jon Favreau
Very funny and entertaining Christmas movie that has become a holiday classic.  Well-casted and well-written, and offers many funny moments.

Empire of the Sun: ** ½ 

Release Date: 1987
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Steven Spielberg
An appalling and yet realistic look at Japanese internment camps in World War II, seen through the eyes of a kid.  Alas though, it's long and at times rather lifeless, meaning that this will be reserved for the strictest of World War II buffs.

End of the Spear: *** 
Release Date: 2006
MPAA Rating: PG-13  
Director: Jim Hanon
True story about the fate of the missionaries who went to preach the Gospel to isolated tribes in Ecuador, and the effects that had on their families.  Surprisingly entertaining and smartly paced, though the scenery shots of the Amazon jungle could have been nicer.

Enemy at the Gates: **
Release Date: 2001
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Jean Jacques-Annuad
A unique war film but not a good one: tells the story of the sniper duel between two of the best Russian and German snipers admist the chaos of the bloodiest battle in history, the Battle of Stalingrad.  Don't ask me why the Russians speak with English accents.

Enemy Mine: * 
Release Date: 1985
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
A jumbled up, old fashioned movie that sucks any joy out of a good sci-fi film.  Lowsy special effects and bland scenery shots shut out any delight in watching this.

Enemy of the State: **

Release Date: 1998
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Tony Scott
Shaky camera work and horrendous editing, while hurt by a more then familiar spy-action plot and overlength.  Still fairly paced, but from expierenced actors we would all expect more.

E.T, the Extra Terrestrial: *** ½ 
Release Date: 1982
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Steven Spielberg
An enduring sci-fi classic about a stranded alien who befriends a kid, and they help each other to get the alien back home.  Representing the high point of Spielberg's career, this is an inoffensive, entertaining adventure that can be watched and enjoyed over and over again.

Evan Almighty: **

Release Date: 2007
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Tom Shadyac
Sequel to Bruce Almighty.  This is more warm-hearted and family oriented, and the laughs don't come very strong.  Morgan Freeman continues to score as God.  

Executive Decision: ** ½ 

Release Date: 1996
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Stuard Baird
Almost like Die Hard on a plane, having almost the same plot and the same flaws: unnecessary supporting characters and overlength.  Has some tense moments and instances of action diverting fun. Fundamentally works like how we would expect.

Extraordinary Measures: ** ½ 

Release Date: 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Tom Vaughan
An interesting examination of medical research and finance, but more importantly a true story of the pursuit of a father to save his kids.  Has it's moments, but in the end very simple and straightforward movie fare that feals like a TV adaptation.